CBRE has been named project manager for the renovation of the New York Public Mid-Manhattan Library.
The team of Frank Alvarado, Bret Keeney, Chris Van Cleef, and Michael Gellis were picked via a competitive selection process to managed the renovation of the 165,000 s/f building across the street from the landmark NY Public Library on Fifth Avenue.
Dutch architects Mecanoo and New York’s Beyer Blinder Belle designed the $200 million makeover that will increase the library’s capacity to hold nearly half a million books and house the city’s only free public roof terrace. .
Iris Weinshall, New York Public Library COO, said CBRE’s “vast experience managing complex projects throughout the city” made them an “exceptional partner” for the project.
Work will include the creation of a “Long Room” with a five-story wall of book stacks and meeting rooms (below right). Once complete in 2020, the branch will have more public space, an improved entrance, and technical and architectural updates that will transform it into the state-of-the-art library.
“We appreciate the trust that the NYPL team has placed on the CBRE project management and cost consulting teams to deliver this special space to New Yorkers,” said Matthew Van Buren, President, Northeast Division, CBRE. “We look forward to delivering this beautiful new amenity which will no doubt strengthen the legacy of public libraries and what they mean to our great city.”
“Our focus on delivering great client outcomes will manifest itself in this project through risk and cost avoidance measures and through the collaborative dynamic we will drive through the entire design and construction team,” said Frank Alvarado, Senior Managing Director, Project Management, CBRE.
The renovated branch will have 17,000 s/f of general reading and study space, including seating for 1,500 patrons and 11,000 s/f of multi-purpose space for classes, events, consultations and seminars.
Originally built in 1914 to house the Arnold Constable department store, the building has been occupied by the Mid-Manhattan Library since 1970. It is NYPL’s busiest circulating library, with more than 1.7 million visits a year.
Renderings by Mecanoo with Beyer Blinder Belle
